Balance? What's THAT!?

2017 was supposed to be the year I got off my a$$ to walk and explore more. Up to the end of August, I was really doing well.

Then, it happened.

Heat and long work hours conspired against my best efforts.

I am hopeful to turn that around sooner than later. I feel more sluggish and less balanced without my time outdoors. 

In other news, I caved and my daughter finally won her hard-fought battle to dye her hair. I have to be honest. I love it. 

I think it's fun to watch her develop her own style. She recently asked me to order her a few shirts (see the picture) from an artist she likes on YouTube. WalkingMelonsAAA is an artist that my daughter really looks up to.

I have found some time to read, though. I find the act to be quite relaxing because I am not reading off a glowing screen. I find PAPER books to be my fave!

I just finished an interesting book titled An Unfinished Marriage. While it's not my typical read, I enjoyed this passage:

"We must be careful not to lose sight of our dreams in favor of the stability of day-to-day life. What's more, we need to hold back a portion of our days for each other, not just meal times."

Granted, I am not married, but this passage really hit home with me because lately I am feeling very unbalanced in my life. Work is dominating my world. I need to not forget my dreams and I must make more time for those I love (daughter, parents, etc.) beyond a quick bite to eat. 

While I know this juggling act is not easily mastered, lately I feel consumed by work. Something has to "give" soon. 

Hopefully the next time I post, I'll have some great "getting off my a$$" photos from a day (or weekend) of exploration!

Until next time, 
M of MK Designs

October Update: "There is something in October sets the gypsy blood astir." ~William Bliss

My "mantra" for 2016 is this: 

"I want to become a woman who overcomes obstacles by tackling them in faith instead of tiptoeing around them in fear."

Since May, I have had many moments of "fear." 

I have fears about my health, my career, finances, and more. However, at the end of the day, I am trying my hardest to meet them with faith and the belief that they will only strengthen me; not leave me defeated or broken. 

When I originally decided to focus on facing obstacles in faith, I didn't even think of adding health, finances, or my aging cats to that list. 

Yet, I am still sticking with the original list and plugging right along... 

Cooking. I have been cooking a lot more in 2016 and using my grill more often. I can grill a skirt steak that is out of this world and Karlene says I am mastering "oven-fried taters." Yes, we say "taters" in this house! I have also gotten better at preparing scallops and other foods that I typically only trust a "professional" to cook!

Watching. My latest veg out on the couch guilty pleasure is "Lakefront Bargain Hunt." I am impressed by not only the beauty of the homes, but by the fact they are more expensive than the one I live in. These are on the "bargain" list?!

A movie that I watched a few weeks ago that moved me deeply is "Unconditional." You can find it on Netflix. It is based on a true story and has a powerful message. Check it out! 

Reading. I cannot get over how many books I have read so far this year! If you visit this LINK, you'll learn more about some of them, as well as my mission to read more in 2016. 

Below are photos of all the books I have checked out since I have last updated this blog. 

NOTE: Two of them, Libby & Dying Out Loud, were highly recommended by my Grandma. 9 out of 10 times when she recommends a book, I end up loving it!

Finishing. Karlene and I figured that it was time to get back to work on our stepping stone project and we tackled that with beautiful results. We were able to add three more stepping stones to our outdoor collection. 

I also finally finished the mosaic I started YEARS ago. It's all Soulard Mardi Gras beads. It's only fitting that the final product was juried into a show at Soulard Art Gallery this past month! Below, you can see details of it in the lower right hand area of the photo collage. It's 16X20 and available for sale. Contact me if you are interested. 

Uplifting. I have received a lot of positive feedback about the Journalism Summit that I was able to help bring to Franklin County. Learn more HERE. I felt incredibly blessed to be a blessing to others that day. 

On another note, I love the bracelet I wore that day. My friend Jen is a KEEP designer and I love their jewelry with an uplifting message! 

Karlene and I also just finished our two Operation Christmas Child boxes. Additionally, we are both excited that our Compassion International Child, Beatrice, has been sending us letters! It's amazing to learn more about her life and how God is working in her life. 

Expanding. I have to admit that in this area, I am drowning in learning about women's health issues and how to deal with insurance companies. I am going to leave it at that. It wasn't on my list of new things to learn about, but "it is what it is" indeed! 

Last but not least, I want to brag about my child. 

She recently won First Place (again) in the annual Fire Safety Week poster contest in Washington, Missouri. 

Her poster goes on to the state contest this spring. 

If you can...  I want to toss this out there as a challenge for you today and every day.

Until next time,  

M of MK Designs 

October 2016

Thoughts on a Windowless Life

I am convinced that a "windowless life" is no way to live. Yet, I do it every school year. 

Last night, I needed a break from the lack of scenery. I went to Reiker Ford Access near my home to have a moment of water, green, and sky. 

My silence was interrupted by a man who pulled up in his truck. I watched as he surveyed the river. It was a little too high to cross and he decided to turn around. 

Before he left, he and I had a pretty short, yet insightful exchange of words. 

The conversation we had went a little like this:

"You waiting on a floater?" - he. 

"No, I work in a windowless room all day and sometimes I need 30 to 40 minutes to just NOT..." - me.

"Oh, Wow! I hear ya, no windows all day would make me wanna just stand here and NOT, often!" - he. 

And, with a chuckle and a wave, he drove away. 

I find it interesting that someone who doesn't know me at all can instantly "get" me and my situation. 

Windows are something many of us take for granted. When we find ourselves in a situation where we spend 8+ hours a day without them, we understand their true value.

Once I am back at work and living my windowless life, I go for walks and drives much more. I ache for it. 

I am sure I am not alone in my windowless life. 

~M of MK Designs August 2016
mkdesignsphoto.com 

These Days: A Little Recap of My 2016 Goals: Cooking, Watching, Reading, Finishing, Uplifting, and Expanding!

It's been awhile, so... remember my 2016 Resolutions?

BACK TO...Cooking. Watching. Reading. Finishing. Uplifting. Expanding. 

Cooking. I have not done well at this lately. However, I have been willing to try new recipes and consume vegetables that I have previously avoided. I have realized that I like cauliflower steamed with cheese and also with a buffalo seasoning. It really is almost as good as buffalo chicken wings!

Watching. I am excited that there are new episodes of "Grace and Frankie" on Netflix. My mom and I enjoyed the first season and it appears season two is going to be just as fun. 

Reading. I just finished "Generation iY" by Tim Elmore. I have asked my friend, Katie, if I can keep it a little longer to take a few notes and do some more research. It is a God-send. 

Reading (continued). I am now working on reading the book "Grandma Gatewood's Walk" by Ben Montgomery. I am ripping through it at a fast clip thanks to the combo of being on summer break and it's just that good of a read. I am thankful my friend, Kara, loaned it to me!

Finishing. I am SO close on finishing some new flower bed projects and cleaning up some old ones, I can't stand it! I am also SO close to finally finishing that mosaic project AND culling/editing my photos from Yellowstone/Tetons trip last July...it's almost silly. I will be happy once I can check those off my to-do list. 

Uplifting. Lately I have been feeling that more and more people WANT things done for them, but don't want to be the one digging in and doing the WORK that helps make those things happen. One example is at my church. Many who attend want things to just "happen" without having to do the work. So, today I decided to step out of my role as one of those individuals that just wants to be served and try to be someone who helps with the serving.

I signed up to get donations and help a little with our upcoming VBS, offered to help with our communications team, and reached out to my friend, Steph, to see if I can help with our Youth Group. 

Did I bite off more than I can chew? Not sure I did, actually. I think these are small things I can do for people who have given so much to me. I did feel pretty excited when three people were thankful for the little things I did and offered. 

I think if more of us would work towards serving others instead of always being served, the world (and even my little church) would be a much better place. 

Expanding. I am taking the time to learn more about the duties of my county assessor and what actions we can take when said elected official messes up big time. Why? Well, the school district I work for (and all schools in our county) were not given the proper estimate for tax revenue. It wasn't just a "little" off, let's just leave it at that. So, I am learning to find my voice and figuring out what channels that voice needs to use to report the injustice that has happened in our county. 

On that note, I find this fitting:

As I continue this journey, do you have any suggestions for me? 

What should I be...Cooking, Watching, Reading, or Expanding? 

Do you have any ideas for people or groups I can "uplift," because I am open to those, too!

Until next time, 

~ M of MK Designs

March 2016

February FLEW past me...A continuation of my New Year's Goals for 2016

BACK TO...Cooking. Watching. Reading. Finishing. Uplifting. Expanding. 

Cooking. Didn't get into new dishes in February, but did work on some that I am yet to perfect. Made my second "stew" and this time was bold enough to share it with my family. Also, tried shredded chicken tacos again. I am so glad I am figuring out how to use my crockpot for more than chili! 

Watching. I hit the Netflix jackpot this past month! These are all suggestions from co-workers and students. 

Meet the Patels is an A+ in my book. I enjoyed this film so much, I had my mom come over and watch it with me on my second viewing. It is both educational and entertaining. I recommend it to anyone. 

The Road Within has some charm, despite the horrid language that even kinda got under my skin and I cuss like a sailor! I would give it a B. I do want to point out that the "language" stems from a character's mental health issues. I do like that this film takes a hard look at many things like OCD, Anorexia, and more. 

And, Fuller House may not be "grade worthy," but when I watch the episodes this warm blanket of nostalgia wraps itself around me. I kinda like it. Maybe it's like that last minute extra credit assignment that you try to do? Ha! 

Reading. I just finished Larry Hagman's autobiography "Hello Darling." It was a very enjoyable read and I passed it on to my mom. Larry certainly LIVED his life to say the least! 

Currently, I am on Chapter 3 of a book titled "Generation iY." My friend and guidance counselor at my school, Katie Sandoval, both suggested and loaned me this must-read. It's helping me understand SO MUCH about this current generation we are dealing with in our society. 

Finishing. I am still attempting to make sense of the mosaic project that I have mentioned several times. I have the first layer totally in, but feel there are holes to fill in. With a little bit more time, I think it will be "photo worthy" for the blog! 

Uplifting. I am so happy that some of the people I am trying to uplift are seeing some results. For example, one girl I have tried to help along the way was just honored by the national Journalism Education Association as the Missouri State High School Journalism Student of the Year! Now, she and I get to work more on her portfolio to help her on the national level. Seeing her smile and joy is so worth it. 

On another note, I also sent a homemade gift to my friend in Texas to thank him for his friendship and for letting me stay with him this past fall. I think he was very excited. His text to me thanking me for it made me feel so good. Uplifting others is so rewarding. Making sure we express our gratitude is something everyone needs to work on (myself included). I like this part of my 2016 Goals. 

Here is an uplift for anyone reading this right now. I stumbled upon these points of scripture at church today, and it's something I really want to put into practice more in my life. 

Expanding. I will finally admit I am trying to expand my wardrobe. Don't panic. I am not totally going to break the bank or destroy my beloved t-shirts and hoodies!

I did a free trial for a clothing rental company and I like it. So, I went ahead and paid for another month. This could be something I keep doing if it keeps going well. I go online, build my closet, they send me items as I return them, and postage is included. I can have three items out at once. I hate shopping and this seems like a way to freshen up my clothing options, dress up more, and not spend an excessive amount of bank. I didn't think I'd enjoy this as much as I am. 

So, do you have any suggestions for me? What should I be...

...Cooking, Watching, Reading, or Expanding?

I am always open to suggestions!  

Until next time, 

~ M of MK Designs

March 2016

Where am I heading in 2016? (I hope you join me!)

In 2015, you learned about my "agenda" and goals for the year. I had 11 very specific targets to hit. In the end, I was able to make nearly all of them a reality. I am very happy with the overall results. 

2016 will have a different twist on this concept. 

As the quote above states: "I want to become a woman who overcomes obstacles by tackling them in faith instead of tiptoeing around them in fear."

That quote is my mantra for 2016. 

At least once a month, if not more, my goal is to face the following obstacles with faith and not fear. 

Cooking

Watching

Reading

Finishing

Uplifting

Expanding

Cooking. I have been fearful of it my whole life it seems (especially my married life). I want to get better at creating meals for myself and my family instead of depending upon others or restaurants so much. 

Watching. Well, it's high time I watch more than my phone screen or camera's viewfinder. I have access to so many great shows and movies. I need to expand my horizons without fear. So what if I end up not liking it? At least I tried! 

Reading. My reading of actual books has declined big time over the years. I need to get myself out there and focus more on books. I need to faithfully make the time to make this happen. 

Finishing. Oh my goodness, I have too many projects I have put to the side. Often, I end up doing so because I am fearful of how they are shaping (or not shaping) up. 2016 is a year to correct that!

Uplifting. In 2015 several of my goals were directed towards myself. In 2016, I want to faithfully take the time to uplift others on a regular basis. 

Expanding. I really feel based upon some of the things I choose to do (without fear, but in faith) that I will find a way to expand my mindset and knowledge of the world around me. 

I have already made a start on this for January. 

Cooking. For the first time in my life, I made a homemade stew! Soups I have been ok at, but now I can add stew to my list. 

Cooking, Watching, and Expanding...hey, I had never tried veggie/fruit juice!

Watching. Thanks to Facebook, I saw this article "23 Best Movies On Netflix You Haven't Seen Yet." I decided to try a movie from it. "The Kids Are All Right" was an interesting movie and I am pretty glad I gave it a chance. If you're homophobic (I am not) or hate "foul language" (again, I can face it), you won't be able to handle this film. However, I found it charming, enlightening, and brutally honest. There are many points in the film that touched my heart. This part for instance:

"I need to say something. Um, it's no big secret your mom and I are in hell right now, and, uh... Bottom line is, marriage is hard. It's really hard. Just... just two people slogging through the shit, year after year, getting older, changing. It's a marathon, okay? So, sometimes, you know, you're... you're together so long, that you just... You stop seeing the other person. You just see weird projections of your own junk. Um, instead of talking to each other, you go off the rails and act grubby and make stupid choices, which is what I did, and I feel sick about it because I love you guys, and I love your mom, and that's the truth. Sometimes you hurt the ones you love the most. I don't know why. I... You know, if I read more Russian novels, then... Anyway, I just wanted to say how sorry I am for what I did. I hope you'll forgive me eventually. Thank you."

Reading. This book (pictured above) is a must-read for anyone in education or who is the parent of a high-functioning autistic child. I picked it up fearful of what I would read, but now I am reaching a better understanding of how individuals with high-functioning autism work. It has been very eye-opening. I am thankful for it.

Finishing. I started this Mardi Gras mosaic years ago, and put it down. I was so fearful of where it was headed. I found it, added some black paint, and am back to letting the beads and glue come together. Hopefully, when it is finished I can find a home for it or an art show to display it in. I am going to stop being afraid of how it comes out and have faith... well, have faith it won't totally suck. :-)

Uplifting. I am currently working my tush off to get all my ducks in a row to nominate a current student for the Missouri Journalism Student of the Year, as well as nominate my Principal for Missouri Administrator of the Year through the state Journalism group I am involved in. Both are so deserving and I am excited to be the one to get the ball rolling. It's time to see other people recognized for their efforts. I hope they know that in my heart they are amazing people who put Scholastic Journalism first whenever possible. 

Expanding. I found myself at Casey's General Store eyeing the juice on the first Sunday of 2016. Feeling under the weather somehow didn't phase my idea of trying to "expand" upon my experiences in life. I picked up a fruit/veggie juice blend. Guess what? I didn't hate it. It was totally worth trying! Add that into my expanded understanding of all the time that goes into mosaics and how to best help kids with high-functioning autism... well, I feel pretty ok about this area. 

So, what will future blog posts reveal about this new "mantra" and focus for 2016? Only time will tell, and I am excited to see how it goes. Do you have any suggestions for what to attempt to cook next, read, watch, etc? Feel free to comment on my MK Designs facebook page, or right here on the blog. 

Until next time, 

~ M of MK Designs

Creative isn't a TYPE. It's about Heart, Hand, and Head...

Over the past 41 1/2 years I have become more and more in tune with what I feel isn't a gift only bestowed upon certain "special" people. The older I get, the more I believe creativity is something found within all of us. However, too many people are afraid to be creative. 

Ask a 5 year old if they want to do something creative and they get excited. If a 15 year old is asked to be creative, about half of them shut down. Tell a 40 year old to do something creative and MOST find an excuse to leave the room. 

It makes me scream out mentally, "WHAT!?!?"

I am a firm believer that creative isn't a type. I get so sick of hearing things like, "Michelle, I am not a creative type like you are."

It's something found within all of us at birth. Something goes wrong along the way. Our creative thoughts and desires are often destroyed or ignored. Maybe it's a kid sitting by you in 7th grade who tells you that you can't draw well, or maybe it's a teacher who says your sky should be blue when you really feel it should be pinky-orange. 

The reality is we all have this drive to create and when we don't answer that drive...well, it makes for some misery. 

I think we all have the potential to change the world one creative way at a time, especially if we go at it based on the 3 H's artist Shea Hembrey (http://www.sheahembrey.com) mentioned in a TED Talk he gave. 

Heart: our creative art and/or outlet has emotion connected to it. 
Hand: craftsmanship and fine quality.
Head: it has intellect - it makes us and people around us think.

I think creativity is everywhere, and I thank God for it. 

Thank God Jessica is creative with fashion and words. You can follow her at "MostOrdinary" on facebook, or check out her blog: http://mostordinaryblog.blogspot.com She makes the world more beautiful not just by being in it, but by inspiring people. She's so awesome at helping them find the clothing that fits not only their bodies, but their personalities. She's just an overall interesting person. Her heart is fully into what she does. 

I am thankful that Gabe with Camping Missouri (http://campingmissouri.org) is so creative. He's constantly trying to make the world a better place with his words and actions. He for sure puts his hand into his creative outlet. He gets muddy and messy to clean our natural places with Operation CleanStream. The end result is one of the finest quality. Who can argue with clean streams!? He's also creative in that through both his emotion and logic, he can get a lot of people to give a damn. We need more of that in today's world.

I view my parents as creative. My mom makes the coolest "upcycled" tote bags, and t-shirt quilts. She is amazing at taking things that are cast off and giving them a new purpose, instead of being filler for the dump.

She and my dad have recently teamed up to repurpose old frames, or cabinet doors. They distress them, add fun features, put in a chalk board and/or cork board. The end results are so fun to see. 

All the creations my parents come up with have heart, hand, and head. They always make me think about the things we think are worth hitting the trashcan. All products are made with the finest craftsmanship. There's certainly heart there, too. The end results often make me smile. 

Growing up, my parents always inspired me with gardening. That's another form of creativity. Will my thumb ever be as green as my mom's or dad's? I am not sure, but today it felt great adding more hosta starts, mulch, rocks, etc. for a back shade-loving flower bed. Nothing grows there, so this is indeed an improvement. Using my hands to create this made me feel good. It was like some question was being answered inside of me. When we don't take the time to create; be it a flowerbed or a cleaner stream - - we lose a piece of who we are.

I know I am blessed that where I teach, I am surrounded by people who believe in creativity and encouraging others to tap into their creative urges. My friend across the hall, Juli, is one example. Through her "day job" and her other side efforts like (http://oliveandashstudio.blogspot.com), Juli is someone that is the example of living a life where you answer those calls. She so often works with her hands, and her projects have emotion and intellect behind them. You can also follow her on facebook at Juli Schuster at Olive and Ash Studio.

I don't care if you're diggin in the dirt, stitching on fabric, using words to inspire, clicking photographs, or cleaning up someone else's mess... we ALL have this calling within us to be creative. We need to answer it. If we don't, it sure makes for some sad days.

Until next time,
M of MK Designs

After the Rain... Comes the Light! ((A little Photography and Life Tip)): Robertsville State Park, Mo.

It's amazing how so many people fear "weather" when they are out with their cameras... or just out in general. 

Light is the river Photographers (and all humans) drink from. Light impacts our moods and, all too often, our plans. Same applies to weather. A little rain shouldn't ruin a day for anyone. 

This all came into play back in March on a very rainy Sunday. My daughter and I decided once it "let up a bit" to hit Robertsville State Park (a place we know well) https://mostateparks.com/park/robertsville-state-park for a stroll and for some quality time. Not many people were around. I've noticed so many people dodge "life" when it is wet outside. 

K(arlene) of MK Designs and I had a blast walking around and chatting it up, while clicking some photos. So what if it was a little damp? It made for some great images. 

If you like to click pics, then go for it. A little rain will make those images SING once it lets up a little. Also, once that rain is done, the light will come (even if briefly), and your mood will lift and your photos will take on a whole new vibe. 

So, the next time a little "weather" comes your way, get outside anyway. You like to shoot photos? Great! A little water shouldn't stop you. If you like to just "be" - that's great, also. Odds are you'll have a place to yourself because everyone else is sitting inside afraid of melting. 

May your days be blessed as they grow longer here in the Midwest. Summer, sweet summer, is on her way! 

And, if a little "storm" comes your way, don't be afraid. It will pass. It always does. Just takes a little cure called "time" to fix it. 

If you see any images you'd like to have on canvas, metal, wood, framed/unframed prints, contact me! http://mkdesignsphoto.weebly.com 

~ Michelle of MK Designs
Spring 2015